NHL

NHL Power Rankings (week of Feb. 17-24)

After a couple of weeks with dealing with food poisoning, and other various matters, which I deem more important than breathing, I am back with the post-all star edition of the NHL power rankings. Before I begin, let me say this, as someone who is a family member of a victim of domestic abuse, please, if you think anything is going on, or you know anything is going on, please call the police, get them involved. Especially if there are young children around.

Going back to the fun and games department, it seems that all is not well in the land of the Coyote, and their playoff hopes are going downhill. The main question in the west is, who are the legit contenders, besides San Jose? Detroit’s defense is horrible, the Wild cannot score, the Blackhawks are owned by the Wings, and everyone else is mediocre at best.

Over in the east, it looks like the Devils are putting the curse to the the East, as they skyrocket to the two seed. The Flyers are trying to catch them, while the Bruins are starting to slide a little. Where did your team end up?

Rank (Pv)

Team

Record

Comments

1 (2)

37-8-9

Wise man say, “It is better to slump in January then in April”
Injuries: None.

2 (1)

39-10-8

They are hitting a small rough patch right now, but the B’s are ready to roll over everyone.
Injuries: RW Michael Ryder (face)

3 (4)

30-16-9

Jeff Carter could make a huge run at the Norris. He’s a darkhorse pick right now, but with his recent play, you cannot over look him.
Injuries: RW Danny Briere (groin)

4 (6)

37-17-3

If Zach Parise doesn’t at least end up as a finalist as MVP, I will go on a hunger strike. He’s the main reason the Devils are not just part of the playoff conversation, but the main reason why they could be a serious East contender. Oh, and the fact that Brodeur guy is about to come back.

Injuries: G Martin Brodeur (elbow)

5 (3)

31-15-8

Johnathan Toews is another MVP finalist. Somehow, the Hawks are going to edge out the Wings for the division title, all they need is to figure out how to beat them.

Injuries: None.

6 (8)

36-16-5

Alexander the GR-8, enough said. Honestly, this guy is the face of the NHL. Oh, and if you aren’t down with that, I got two words for you…Mike Green. Could they be a legit threat to come out of the East as well?
Injuries: RW Viktor Kozlov (groin)

7 (5)

37-12-8

The main question everyone has with the Wings is their defense. If they want to be a serious West contender, they are going to have to shore up that defense. They let the Avalanche score six goals on them.

They are the opposite of the Red Wings, if they want to be taken seriously, they need to add more offense.
Injuries: RW Marian Gaborik (hip)

9 (7)

33-18-5

Seven out of eight points this week means that the Flames are trying to make this just a two team race in the Northwest.

Injuries: None.

10 (11)

29-22-6

The power play is starting to go to sleep. Things are fading for the Sabers, but judging the teams under them, they’ll still make the playoffs. However, they should be in better shape once their injury problems are fixed.
Injuries: D Andrej Sekera (lower body), D Henrik Tallinder (shoulder), LW Thomas Vanek (jaw).

11 (13)

28-25-5

How they rose in the rankings, while all logic says they are falling off the face of the Earth? I have no clue.

Injuries: None.

12 (15)

28-20-8

Everything says they are a middle of the pack team. Yet, they just know how to win. This is the best young team in the NHL, they could go deep in the playoffs, look for them to cause some havoc with predictions.
Injuries: D Bryan Allen (knee)

13 (16)

24-22-9

The Kings are making a run to sneak into the playoffs. The only question is, can Jonathan Quick keep up his hot play?

Here is a simple solution for the Dinner Jackets, just schedule the Colorado Avalanche 82 times a season, you will break all kinds of NHL records.
Injuries: G Steve Mason (mononucleosis), RW Jakub Voracek (upper body).

19 (22)

22-25-8

It’s too little, way too late, but the good ship Senator is starting to turn around. Next season, they could be back in the playoffs. Injuries: None.

20 (27)

22-20-5

Getting hot at the right time. Injuries: None.

21 (24)

27-27-3

This team is a huge mess, nothing is going right for them. Injuries: None

About the Author

matt Jordan

Matt is an in-studio producer for three radio stations in a six station cluster. He has produced and co-hosted three sports talk shows, with one of them becoming number one in the market. He also is a play by play announcer for the Florence Redwolves, who play in the Coastal Plain League, the nation's hottest College Summer League. He is in his fourth season. He also was the PA Announcer for the Florence Phantoms indoor football team.
In his spare time Matt enjoys reading, writing, playing RTS video games, debating on religion, and good music. He is currently writing a play, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2009. Matt also writes for Medusa's Kiss magazine.